Sealing means for protecting spoon bowl

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to spoons used in administering particularly medical products and foodstuffs to subjects in the need thereof, and more particularly to a protective member insulating the bowl of such spoons against external affects.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Present invention relates to sealing means to protect bowl of a spoon from exterior medium, used in administering particularly medical products and foodstuffs to subjects in the need thereof.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

It is important to provide insulation against unwanted external substances of spoons used for consuming medical products in the form of liquids or semi-liquids, syrups, suspensions, etc., and other foodstuffs such as yogurts, puddings, soups, honeys, or jams etc.

Covers that spoons are entirely placed therein are known from the art, which are plastic-made members for providing their insulation. One drawback of such known arrangements is that the insulation of a spoon involves both the spoon's bowl and handle to be placed into a protective material, thereby increasing the amount of consumed protective material and therefore enhancing the cost.

On the other hand, the lack of sealing means accommodating the entire spoon in providing an easy unpacking structure similarly fails in fulfilling practical usability function with respect to users, particularly for older individuals and children.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and efficient insulation against external influences of spoons, which are used in consuming medical products or foodstuffs in the form of liquids or semi-liquids. The spoon according to the present invention is provided with a removable protective layer only over the bowl part of the spoon, thus the drawbacks indicated for known arrangements mentioned above are avoided and a low-cost spoon is provided.

The sealing means of the spoon according to the present invention is elaborated s with respect to annexed figures, briefly described as following.

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a spoon and sealing means according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a spoon and sealing means according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

The reference numbers of parts given in the figures are listed hereunder.

1. Spoon

2. Spoon handle

3. Spoon bowl

4. Sealing means

5. Opening

6. Handgrip

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the protective member (4) according to the present invention is removably fastened over the bowl of the spoon (1). This fastening can be provided in the form of ultrasound welding or by means of an adhesive material, as known from the prior art.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle (2) of the spoon (1) is not protected with a sealing means, so that the material required for insulating the spoon bowl from external influences is used efficiently.

The scale of the bowl of the spoon (1) is preferably 5 to 20 ml, wherein the bowl may be produced in other desired sizes as well. The material of the spoon (1) may be of plastic, metallic, cellulosic, or composite-based materials.

Similarly, the protective member (4) adapted to cover the upper part of the spoon bowl (3) can be made from plastic (e.g. polypropylene, polyethylene), metallic (e.g. aluminum foil), or cellulosic (e.g. paper) and preferably easily-shaped materials. When the spoon is to be used, the protective member (4) is held from its handgrip (6) and removed from the spoon.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. According to this alternative embodiment, the handgrip (6) of the sealing means is fastened to the spoon so that it is run through openings (5) formed at the handle (2) of the spoon, and when the spoon is to be used, the handgrip (6) is released from the openings and removed from the top of the bowl. 

1. A sealing means (4) for insulating a spoon (1) used for consuming liquid or semi-liquid medical products or foodstuffs, against external matters, characterized in that said sealing means (4) comprises a handgrip (6) and is disposed only over the spoon bowl (3).
 2. A sealing means according to claim 1, wherein the material of the protective member (4) is selected from the group consisting of a plastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, a metallic material such as aluminum foil, a cellulosic material such as paper.
 3. A protective member for spoons according to claim 1, characterized in that the scale of the spoon is about 5 to 20 ml.
 4. A protective member for spoons according to claim 1, characterized by comprising openings (5) formed on the spoon handle (2), through which said handgrip (6) can be run through.
 5. A protective member for spoons according to claim 2, characterized in that the scale of the spoon is about 5 to 20 ml.
 6. A protective member for spoons according to claim 2, characterized by comprising openings (5) formed on the spoon handle (2), through which said handgrip (6) can be run through.
 7. A protective member for spoons according to claim 3, characterized by comprising openings (5) formed on the spoon handle (2), through which said handgrip (6) can be run through.
 8. A protective member for spoons according to claim 5, characterized by comprising openings (5) formed on the spoon handle (2), through which said handgrip (6) can be run through. 